Mission and objectivesUNDP has been providing development assistance to the people of Myanmar since the 1950s. UNDP operated under a restricted mandate from 1993 until 2012 implementing the Human Development Initiative programme which provided assistance directly to communities and individuals for improving their lives and livelihoods. In 2013, UNDP began working through two country programmes, and between 2018 and 2020 the focus shifted to direct support to the Myanmar Government. Following the military takeover in 2021, UNDP Myanmar pivoted to directly target the extremely vulnerable by meeting their basic needs and supporting community recovery, through the Community First Programme: 2021-2025. We have and extensive presence with 4 field offices covering 11 states and regions, with offices in Mon State - covering Mon and the southeastern regions including Bago โ and Kachin and Shan states. UNDP also has a field office in Rakhine State and a sub-office in northern Rakhine. UNDP Myanmar works with an extensive network of local CSO, CBO, grassroots partners and community leaders established by UNDP under the Human Development Initiative which started in 1993. These networks remain operational, and UNDP has been able to quickly connect and deliver support through them despite rapid changes in Myanmarโs political and social landscape.
ContextThe UNDP's (United Nations Development Programme) mission is to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities, and build resilience by connecting countries to knowledge, experience, and resources, helping them achieve sustainable development and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Its core objectives focus on key development areas: poverty reduction, democratic governance, crisis prevention/recovery, environment/energy, and HIV/AIDS, empowering nations to build inclusive institutions, strengthen leadership, and create solutions for a better life, all while promoting human rights and gender equality. The recent earthquake in the Sagaing Region has resulted in significant damage to residential housing, public buildings, and critical public infrastructure. As part of the early recovery and reconstruction efforts, a rapid structural integrity and damage assessment is required to guide humanitarian response, prioritize interventions, and inform planning for rebuilding and repair.
Task DescriptionLead community mobilization and facilitation, including the effective identification, engagement, and organization of target communities in project implementation areas. Achieve the project Targets, including PRA facilitation, VRC formation, HEAP distribution and follow on community mobilization activities within the project timeline Apply and promote community mobilization principles and Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools, ensuring systematic, inclusive, and participatory approaches, and working independently when required. Facilitate and support the community development process, ensuring strong community ownership, participation, and empowerment throughout all stages of project implementation. Promote the integration of community development activities with other sectors, particularly community infrastructure and related development initiatives. Work in close coordination with Village / Volunteer Rural Committees (VRCs) and community groups to track progress, identify challenges, and support ongoing community development processes, including community infrastructure initiatives. Assist in documenting community needs, priorities, progress, lessons learned, and best practices related to community mobilization and community development activities. Support capacity-building activities at the community level, including trainings, awareness sessions, community meetings, and participatory planning exercises. Ensure quality and consistency in PRA facilitation and VRC formation, and support community infrastructure planning, implementation, and monitoring. Strengthen VRC capacity in governance, financial management, infrastructure operation, and maintenance. Participate in and support the implementation of Social and Environment Standards (SES) and the Grievance Redness Mechanism (GRM), ensuring community feedback is collected, addressed, and used to track project progress and contribute to achieving project targets and goals.
Competencies and valuesProfessionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNDP; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNDP procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNDP in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organizationโs interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority. Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. Planning and organizing effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities. Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNDPโs mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.
Living conditions and remarksThe duration of the assignment is indicated above with the possibility of extension subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance, there is no guarantee of assignment extension. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment. The current Conditions of Service for national UN Volunteers will apply to UN Conditions of Service is undertaken, with the following modifications as per Interim Policy Note on UN Community Volunteers. UN Community Volunteers are expected to be recruited locally and work within their community, they are therefore not expected to travel to the duty station and are not eligible for a settling in grant. In addition, UN Community Volunteers should not require reintegration back into their locales upon completion of their service. Therefore, there is no entitlement to a resettlement allowance. The applicable volunteer living allowance is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included. Furthermore, in non-family duty stations that belong to hardship categories Dor E, as classified by the ICSC, a Well-Being Differential (WBD) will be provided monthly. https://www.unv.org/